Environment controller and method for proportionally adjusting the light intensity of several lighting devices

ABSTRACT

Environment controller and method for proportionally adjusting a respective light intensity of a plurality of lighting devices. The environment controller determines a current light intensity for each one of the plurality of lighting devices; and determines a current average light intensity by calculating the average of the current light intensities. The environment controller determines a target average light intensity; and determines a new light intensity for each one of the plurality of lighting devices, by proportionally adjusting the light intensity of each one of the plurality of lighting devices from its respective current light intensity to its respective new light intensity, so that the average of the new light intensities is equal to the target average light intensity. The current and new light intensities may be expressed as a percentage; and the target average light intensity received from a computing device or via a user interaction with the environment controller.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of building automation, andmore precisely environmental condition control in an area of a building.More specifically, the present disclosure presents an environmentcontroller and a method for proportionally adjusting the light intensityof several lighting devices.

BACKGROUND

Systems for controlling environmental conditions, for example inbuildings, are becoming increasingly sophisticated. An environmentcontrol system may at once control heating and cooling, monitor airquality, adjust lighting, detect hazardous conditions such as fire,carbon monoxide release, intrusion, and the like. Such environmentcontrol systems generally include at least one environment controller,which receives measured environmental values, generally from sensors,and in turn determines set-points or command parameters to be sent tocontrolled appliances.

The environment controller and the devices under its control (sensors,controlled appliances, etc.) are generally referred to as EnvironmentControl Devices (ECDs). An ECD comprises processing capabilities forprocessing data received via one or more communication interface and/orgenerating data transmitted via the one or more communication interface.

An example of controlled appliance consists of a light controller, whichhas one or more lighting device (e.g. lamps) under its control. Theenvironment controller is capable of switching on or off the lightingdevice(s), and further adjusting the light intensity of the lightingdevice(s), by sending commands to the light controller.

When a plurality of lighting devices is present in an area, theenvironment controller is capable of determining a current average lightintensity for the area, receiving a target average light intensity forthe area, and adjusting the respective light intensities of theplurality of lighting devices to reach the target average lightintensity for the area.

A simple way to proceed is to set the light intensity of each one theplurality of lighting devices to the target average light intensity forthe area. However, this simple solution does not take into considerationthe current values of the light intensity of each one the plurality oflighting devices. The result may be an abrupt adjustment of some of thecurrent values, which is not comfortable for persons located in thevicinity of a lighting device having its lighting intensity abruptlyadjusted. For example, if the current light intensity of a givenlighting device is 25% of the maximum light intensity, the currentaverage light intensity of the area is 40% and the target average lightintensity of the area is 70%, then the adjustment from 25% to 70% of thelight intensity of the given lighting device may be considereduncomfortable by some of the persons close to the given lighting device.A better way to proceed with the adjustments (to preserve the comfort ofpersons affected by the adjustments) is to take into consideration (incombination) the current values of the light intensities of the lightingdevices in the area.

Therefore, there is a need for an environment controller and a methodfor proportionally adjusting the light intensity of several lightingdevices.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to anenvironment controller for proportionally adjusting a respective lightintensity of a plurality of lighting devices. The environment controllercomprises a processing unit. The processing unit determines a currentlight intensity for each one of the plurality of lighting devices. Theprocessing unit determines a current average light intensity bycalculating the average of the current light intensities. The processingunit determines a target average light intensity. The processing unitdetermines a new light intensity for each one of the plurality oflighting devices. The determination is made by proportionally adjustingthe light intensity of each one of the plurality of lighting devicesfrom its respective current light intensity to its respective new lightintensity, so that the average of the new light intensities is equal tothe target average light intensity.

According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates a methodfor proportionally adjusting a respective light intensity of a pluralityof lighting devices. The method comprises determining, by a processingunit of an environment controller, a current light intensity for eachone of the plurality of lighting devices. The method comprisesdetermining, by the processing unit of the environment controller, acurrent average light intensity by calculating the average of thecurrent light intensities. The method comprises determining, by theprocessing unit of the environment controller, a target average lightintensity. The method comprises determining, by the processing unit ofthe environment controller, a new light intensity for each one of theplurality of lighting devices. The determination is made byproportionally adjusting the light intensity of each one of theplurality of lighting devices from its respective current lightintensity to its respective new light intensity, so that the average ofthe new light intensities is equal to the target average lightintensity.

According to a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to anon-transitory computer program product comprising instructionsexecutable by a processing unit of an environment controller. Theexecution of the instructions by the processing unit of the environmentcontroller provides for proportionally adjusting a respective lightintensity of a plurality of lighting devices, by implementing theaforementioned method.

According to a fourth aspect, the present disclosure relates a methodfor proportionally adjusting a respective set point of a plurality ofcontrolled appliances. The method comprises determining, by a processingunit of an environment controller, a current set point for each one ofthe plurality of controlled appliances. The method comprisesdetermining, by the processing unit of the environment controller, acurrent average set point by calculating the average of the current setpoints. The method comprises determining, by the processing unit of theenvironment controller, a target average set point. The method comprisesdetermining, by the processing unit of the environment controller, a newset point for each one of the plurality of controlled appliances. Thedetermination is made by proportionally adjusting the set point of eachone of the plurality of controlled appliances from its respectivecurrent set point to its respective new set point, so that the averageof the new set points is equal to the target average set point.

In a particular aspect, the current average light intensity (or thecurrent average set point) is transmitted to a computing device via acommunication interface of the environment controller; and thedetermination of the target average light intensity (or the targetaverage set point) comprises receiving the target average lightintensity (or the target average set point) from the computing devicevia the communication interface of the environment controller.

In another particular aspect, the current average light intensity (orthe current average set point) is displayed on a display of theenvironment controller; and the determination of the target averagelight intensity (or the target average set point) comprises receivingthe target average light intensity (or the target average set point)from a user via a user interface of the environment controller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will be described by way of example onlywith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 represent an environment control system comprising anenvironment controller interacting with a user device and a plurality oflight controllers respectively controlling one or more lighting device;

FIG. 3 represents a method implemented by the environment controller ofFIGS. 1 and 2 for proportionally adjusting a respective light intensityof the of lighting devices of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 illustrates the transmission of adjusted light intensities by theenvironment controller of FIGS. 1 and 2, the adjusted light intensitiesbeing determined via the method of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing and other features will become more apparent upon readingof the following non-restrictive description of illustrative embodimentsthereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally address one or moreof the problems related to environment control systems for buildings.More particularly, the present disclosure aims at providing solutionsfor adjusting the light intensities of a plurality of lighting deviceslocated in an area of the building under the control of an environmentcontroller. The adjustments aim at changing the average light intensityof the area from a current value to a new value, in a manner that takesinto account the current light intensities of each one of the pluralityof lighting devices.

The following terminology is used throughout the present specification:

-   -   Environment: condition(s) (temperature, pressure, oxygen level,        light level, security, etc.) prevailing in a controlled area or        place, such as for example in a building.    -   Environment control system: a set of components which        collaborate for monitoring and controlling an environment.    -   Environmental data: any data (e.g. information, commands)        related to an environment that may be exchanged between        components of an environment control system.    -   Environment control device (ECD): generic name for a component        of an environment control system. An ECD may consist of an        environment controller, a sensor, a controlled appliance, etc.    -   Environment controller: device capable of receiving information        related to an environment and sending commands based on such        information.    -   Environmental characteristic: measurable, quantifiable or        verifiable property of an environment (a building). The        environmental characteristic comprises any of the following:        temperature, pressure, humidity, lighting, CO2, flow, radiation,        water level, speed, sound; a variation of at least one of the        following, temperature, pressure, humidity and lighting, CO2        levels, flows, radiations, water levels, speed, sound levels,        etc., and/or a combination thereof.    -   Environmental characteristic value: numerical, qualitative or        verifiable representation of an environmental characteristic.    -   Sensor: device that detects an environmental characteristic and        provides a numerical, quantitative or verifiable representation        thereof. The numerical, quantitative or verifiable        representation may be sent to an environment controller.    -   Controlled appliance: device that receives a command and        executes the command. The command may be received from an        environment controller.    -   Relay: device capable of relaying an environmental        characteristic value from a sensor to an environment controller        and/or relaying a command from an environment controller to a        controlled appliance.    -   Environmental state: a current condition of an environment based        on an environmental characteristic, each environmental state may        comprise a range of values or verifiable representation for the        corresponding environmental characteristic.    -   Area of a building: the expression ‘area of a building’ is used        throughout the present specification to refer to the interior of        a whole building or a portion of the interior of the building        such as, without limitation: a floor, a room, an aisle, etc.

Referring now concurrently to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, an environmentcontroller 100 and a method 500 for proportionally adjusting arespective light intensity of a plurality of lighting devices areillustrated.

FIGS. 1 and 2 represent an environment control system, where anenvironment controller 100 exchanges data with other environment controldevices (ECDs). The environment controller 100 is responsible forcontrolling the environment of an area of a building. An environmentcontroller such as the one represented in FIG. 1 generally receivesenvironment characteristic values measured by sensors. The environmentcontroller generates commands based on the received environmentcharacteristic values. The generated commands are transmitted tocontrolled appliances (to control the operations of the controlledappliances).

The area under the control of the environment controller 100 is notrepresented in the Figures for simplification purposes. As mentionedpreviously, the area may consist of a room, a floor, an aisle, etc. (ofa building). However, the area under the control of the environmentcontroller 100 is not limited to being inside a building. Outdoor areassuch as a street, a parking lot, a stadium, a private outdoor spacesurrounding a building, etc. also fall within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 1 more specifically illustrates an environment control system wherethe environment controller 100 controls one or more light controller 200located in a given area. Three light controllers 200 have beenrepresented in FIG. 1 for illustration purposes, but the environmentcontroller 100 may control any number of light controller(s) 200. Eachlight controller 200 is in turn responsible for controlling one or morelighting device 300. Four lighting devices 300 have been represented inFIG. 1 for illustration purposes, but the environment controller 100 maycontrol any number of lighting device(s) 300 via intermediate lightcontroller(s) 200.

Examples of lighting devices 300 include various types of lamps whichare deployed in an area of a building. In the context of the presentdisclosure, a lighting device 300 consists of any type of device capableof generating a light of variable intensity. Examples of lightcontrollers 200 include a lamp switch allowing to switch on or off alamp under the control of the lamp switch, and to further adjust thelight intensity of the lamp under the control of the lamp switch.

The environment controller 100 sends commands to the light controller200 responsible of a given lighting device 300, for switching on or offthe given lighting device 300. The environment controller 100 furthersends commands to the light controller 200 responsible of the givenlighting device 300, for adjusting the light intensity of the givenlighting device 300 to a given value.

In the general case, at least some of the light controllers 200 are alsoaccessible by users 10, who have the capability to manually interactwith the light controllers 200. Through this manual interaction, a user10 can switch on or off a corresponding lighting device 300; and canalso adjust the light intensity of the corresponding lighting device 300to a given value.

In some cases, the environment controller 100 interacts directly with agiven lighting device 300 without going through an intermediate lightcontroller 200. In this configuration, the given lighting device 300 hasan integrated light control functionality directly addressable by theenvironment controller 100.

The environment controller 100 also interacts with at least one userdevice 400. The user device 400 is a computing device with a userinterface (e.g. a smartphone, a tablet, etc.). A user of the user device400 has the capability to control the global lighting level in the area;but does not control the lighting devices 300 individually. As will bedetailed later in the description, the environment controller 100 is incharge of determining the appropriate commands to be sent to the lightcontrollers 200 for controlling the corresponding lighting devices 300,in order to meet the global lighting level in the area requested by theuser of the user device 400.

Referring more specifically to FIG. 2, details of the environmentcontroller 100, the user device 400 and the light controller 200 areprovided.

The environment controller 100 comprises a processing unit 110, memory120, and one or more communication interface 130. The environmentcontroller 100 may comprise additional components, such as a userinterface 140, a display 150, etc.

The processing unit 110 comprises one or more processors (notrepresented in FIG. 2) capable of executing instructions of a computerprogram. Each processor may further comprise one or several cores.

The memory 120 stores instructions of computer program(s) executed bythe processing unit 110, data generated by the execution of the computerprogram(s), data received via the communication interface(s) 130, etc.Only a single memory 120 is represented in FIG. 2, but the environmentcontroller 100 may comprise several types of memories, includingvolatile memory (such as a volatile Random Access Memory (RAM), etc.)and non-volatile memory (such as a hard drive, electrically-erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), etc.).

Each communication interface 130 allows the environment controller 100to exchange data with remote devices (e.g. the light controllers 200,the user device 400, etc.) over a communication network (not representedin FIG. 2 for simplification purposes). For example, the communicationnetwork is a wired communication network, such as an Ethernet network;and the communication interface 130 is adapted to support communicationprotocols used to exchange data over the Ethernet network. Other typesof wired communication networks may also be supported by thecommunication interface 130. In another example, the communicationnetwork is a wireless communication network, such as a Wi-Fi network;and the communication interface 130 is adapted to support communicationprotocols used to exchange data over the Wi-Fi network. Other types ofwireless communication network may also be supported by thecommunication interface 130, such as a wireless mesh network, aBluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) network, etc.

In an exemplary configuration, the environment controller 100 has afirst communication interface 130 for exchanging data with the userdevice 400 (e.g. using the BLE standard) and a second communicationinterface 130 for exchanging data with the light controllers 200 (e.g.using one of the 802.11 standards).

The user device 400 comprises a processing unit, memory, and acommunication interface. The communication interface of the user device400 is used for exchanging data with the environment controller 100. Theuser device 400 also comprises a user interface and a display, fordisplaying the data received from the environment controller 110, andfor generating the data transmitted to the environment controller 100.The user device 400 may comprise additional components, such as anothercommunication interface, etc.

The components of the user device 400 have not been represented in FIG.2 for simplification purposes.

The light controller 200 comprises a processing unit, memory, and acommunication interface. The communication interface of the lightcontroller 200 is used for exchanging data with the environmentcontroller 100. The light controller 200 also comprises at least oneactuation module (e.g. electrical or electronic actuation module) forcontrolling one or more lighting device 300 (switching on or off,adjusting the light intensity). The light controller 200 may compriseadditional components, such as other actuation module(s), an integratedlight sensor, etc.

The components of the light controller 200 have not been represented inFIG. 2 for simplification purposes.

Reference is now made more specifically to FIG. 3. At least some of thesteps of the method 500 represented in FIG. 3 are implemented by theenvironment controller 100, for proportionally adjusting a respectivelight intensity of the plurality of lighting devices 300 of FIGS. 1 and2.

A dedicated computer program has instructions for implementing at leastsome of the steps of the method 500. The instructions are comprised in anon-transitory computer program product (e.g. the memory 120) of theenvironment controller 100. The instructions provide for proportionallyadjusting a respective light intensity of the plurality of lightingdevices 300 of FIGS. 1 and 2, when executed by the processing unit 110of the environment controller 100. The instructions are deliverable tothe environment controller 100 via an electronically-readable media suchas a storage media (e.g. CD-ROM, USB key, etc.), or via communicationlinks (e.g. via a communication network through the communicationinterface 130).

The method 500 comprises the step 505 of determining a current lightintensity for each one of the plurality of lighting devices 300. Step505 is performed by the processing unit 110 of the environmentcontroller 100.

In a first implementation of step 505, the current light intensity foreach one of the plurality of lighting devices 300 is stored in thememory 120. Thus, the processing unit 110 simply retrieves the currentlight intensities from the memory 120. When new light intensities aredetermined at step 530, they are stored in the memory 120 and become thecurrent light intensities for the next occurrence of step 505.

In a second implementation of step 505, the environment controller 100sends a request to each light controller 200, and each light controller200 responds to the request with the current light intensity of the oneor more lighting device 300 under its control. This secondimplementation is more appropriate when the environment controller 100is not the only entity capable of adjusting the light intensity of atleast some of the lighting devices 300. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 1, the user 10 has the capability to adjust the light intensity ofa lighting device 300 through direct interactions with its correspondinglight controller 200. In this case, the environment controller 100 hasno knowledge of the new value of the light intensity enforced by theuser 10. The environment controller 100 needs to request this new valueof the light intensity. The details of this second implementation(sending of the request and reception of the response) are notrepresented in FIG. 3 for simplification purposes.

The method 500 comprises the step 510 of determining a current averagelight intensity by calculating the average of the current lightintensities. Step 510 is performed by the processing unit 110 of theenvironment controller 100.

For example, if four current light intensities have been determined atstep 505, then the average light intensity is the average of these fourcurrent light intensities.

The method 500 comprises the step 515 of processing the current averagelight intensity (calculated at step 510). Step 515 is performed by theprocessing unit 110 of the environment controller 100. Step 515 can beimplemented in different manners.

In a first implementation illustrated in FIG. 3, step 515 comprisestransmitting the current average light intensity to the user device 400.The transmission is made via the communication interface 130 of theenvironment controller 100. If the environment controller 100 hasseveral communication interfaces 130, one of them is used forinteracting with the user device 400.

In this first implementation, the method 500 comprises the step 520 ofdisplaying the current average light intensity and determining a targetaverage light intensity. Step 520 is performed by the processing unit ofthe user device 400. The current average light intensity is displayed onthe display of the user device 400, so that a user of the user device400 can see/read it. The user of the user device 400 has the capabilityto set the target average light intensity via the user interface of theuser device 400. For example, a graphical user interface consisting of aslider is used for displaying the current average light intensity (e.g.40%). The slider is movable by the user of the user device 400 to changethe value of the current average light intensity (e.g. 40%) into thevalue of the target average light intensity (e.g. 60%).

Although not represented in FIG. 3 for simplification purposes, thecurrent average light intensity is received from the environmentcontroller 100 via the communication interface of the user device 400.Similarly, the target average light intensity is transmitted to theenvironment controller 100 via the communication interface of the userdevice 400. If the user device 400 has several communication interfaces130, one of them is used for interacting with the environment controller100.

In a second implementation (not illustrated in FIG. 3 for simplificationpurposes), step 515 comprises displaying the current average lightintensity on the display 150 of the environment controller 100.

Step 515 is generally performed (in the case of the firstimplementation) after the environment controller 100 receives a requestfrom the user device 400 to transmit the current average lightintensity. This request has not been represented in FIG. 3 forsimplification purposes. For example, the request is received beforeperforming step 505. Step 515 is generally performed (in the case of thesecond implementation) after the environment controller 100 receives arequest from a user of the environment controller 100 (via its userinterface 140) to display the current average light intensity

Step 515 may also not be executed when the method 500 is performed. Inthis case, there is no display of the current average light intensity,either on the user device 400 or the environment controller 100.

The method 500 comprises the step 525 of determining the target averagelight intensity. Step 525 is performed by the processing unit 110 of theenvironment controller 100.

In the first implementation, step 525 comprises receiving the targetaverage light intensity from the user device 400. The reception is madevia the communication interface 130 of the environment controller 100.

In the second implementation, step 525 comprises receiving the targetaverage light intensity from a user via the user interface 140 of theenvironment controller 100.

The second implementation can only be performed for an environmentcontroller 100 comprising the user interface 140 and the display 150.

The method 500 comprises the step 530 of determining a new lightintensity for each one of the plurality of lighting devices 300. Thedetermination is made by proportionally adjusting the light intensity ofeach one of the plurality of lighting devices 300 from its respectivecurrent light intensity (determined at step 505) to its respective newlight intensity, so that the average of the new light intensities isequal to the target average light intensity (determined at step 525).Step 530 is performed by the processing unit 110 of the environmentcontroller 100.

Several algorithms can be implemented for performing step 530. Anexemplary algorithm will be detailed later in the description.

The method 500 comprises the step 535 of transmitting the new lightintensities (determined at step 530) to one or more light controller200. Step 535 is performed by the processing unit 110 of the environmentcontroller 100. The transmission is made via same the communicationinterface 130 used at steps 515 and 525; or via another communicationinterface 130 of the environment controller 100.

Each light controller 200 controls one or more lighting device 300. Thenew light intensities for the lighting devices 300 under the control ofa given light controller 200 are transmitted to this given lightcontroller 200 by the environment controller 100.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary configuration where light controller 200controls lighting device 300A, light controller 200′ controls lightingdevices 300B and 300C, and light controller 200″ controls lightingdevice 300D.

At step 530, the following new light intensities are determined: I_(n_A)for lighting device 300A, I_(n_B) for lighting device 300B, I_(n_c) forlighting device 300C, and I_(n_D) for lighting device 300D.

At step 535, the new light intensities are transmitted as follows:I_(n_A) to light controller 200, I_(n_B) and I_(n_c) to light controller200′, and I_(n_D) to light controller 200″.

The method 500 comprises the step 540 of controlling one or morelighting device 300 based on the new light intensities transmitted atstep 535. Step 540 is performed by a light controller 200. The new lightintensities are received via the communication interface of the lightcontroller 200. The processing unit of the light controller 200 controlsthe one or more lighting device 300 by activating one or more actuator(e.g. electrical or electronic actuator) of the light controller 200 toperform the adjustment of the light intensity of the one or morelighting device 300 according to the received new light intensities.

Step 540 is performed by the one or more light controller 200responsible for controlling the lighting devices 300 mentioned at steps505 and 530.

As mentioned previously, a light controller 200 controls a single or aplurality of lighting devices 300. Furthermore, a light controller 200and a lighting device 300 may be integrated in a single deviceconsisting of a lighting device with a light controller functionality.

Following is an exemplary algorithm for implementing step 530 of themethod 500. This algorithm is for illustration purposes only. A personskilled in the art would be capable of designing other algorithm(s) forimplementing step 530.

We consider the current light intensity I_(c) determined at step 505 fora given lighting devices 300 among the plurality of lighting devices300.

We consider the new light intensity I_(n) determined at step 530 for thegiven lighting devices 300.

We consider the current average light intensity A_(c) determined at step510.

We consider the target average light intensity A_(t) determined at step525.

The current light intensity I_(c) and the new light intensity I_(n) areexpressed as a percentage (0 to 100%). For example, each lighting device300 uses energy (expressed in watts) to generate light having a givenlight intensity. The energy is adjustable from 0 to a maximum valueE_(M). The given light intensity corresponds to a given energy E and thepercentage is calculated as E/E_(M). For illustration purposes, if theenergy varies from 0 to 100 watts, for an energy of 50 watts, thecorresponding light intensity is 50%. In this example, the relationshipbetween the energy and the corresponding light intensity is linear.However, the light intensity may also be generated as a non-linearfunction of the corresponding energy.

The algorithm implemented at step 530 consists of the following.

If the target average light intensity A_(t) is greater than the currentaverage light intensity A_(c), then the new light intensity I_(n) iscalculated as follows:I_(n)=I_(c)+(100−I_(c))*(A_(t)−A_(c))/(100−A_(c)).

If the target average light intensity A_(t) is lower than the currentaverage light intensity A_(c), then the new light intensity I_(n) iscalculated as follows: I_(n)=I_(c)+I_(c)*(A_(t)−A_(c))/A_(c).

The algorithm is repeated for each one among the plurality of lightingdevices 300.

Following is an exemplary application of the algorithm to the fourlighting devices 300A, 300B, 300C and 300D represented in FIG. 4.

The current light intensity I_(c) determined at step 505 for thelighting devices 300A, 300B, 300C and 300D is respectively 0%, 33% 67%and 100%.

The current average light intensity A_(c) calculated at step 510 is 50%.

In a first scenario, we assume that the target average light intensityA_(t) determined at step 525 is 60%.

The new light intensity I_(n) determined at step 530 for the lightingdevice 300A is: 0%+(100%−0%)×(60%−50%)/(100%−50%)=20%.

The new light intensity I_(n) determined at step 530 for the lightingdevice 300B is: 33%+(100%−33%)×(60%−50%)/(100%−50%)=46.4%.

The new light intensity I_(n) determined at step 530 for the lightingdevice 300C is: 67%+(100%−67%)×(60%−50%)/(100%−50%)=73.6%.

The new light intensity I_(n) determined at step 530 for the lightingdevice 300D is: 100%+(100%−100%)×(60%−50%)/(100%−50%)=100%.

The average of 20%, 46.4%, 73.6% and 100% is effectively A_(t)=60%.

In a second scenario, we assume that the target average light intensityA_(t) determined at step 525 is 40%.

The new light intensity I_(n) determined at step 530 for the lightingdevice 300A is: 0%+(0%)×(40%−50%)/(50%)=0%.

The new light intensity I_(n) determined at step 530 for the lightingdevice 300B is: 33%+(33%)×(40%−50%)/(50%)=26.4%.

The new light intensity I_(n) determined at step 530 for the lightingdevice 300C is: 67%+(67%)×(40%−50%)/(50%)=53.6%

The new light intensity I_(n) determined at step 530 for the lightingdevice 300D is: 100%+(100%)×(40%−50%)/(50%)=80%

The average of 0%, 26.4%, 53.6% and 80% is effectively A_(t)=40%.

The present algorithm operates with the current light intensity I_(c)and the new light intensity I_(n) being defined as a percentage.However, another algorithm implementing step 530 may operate with thecurrent light intensity I_(c) and the new light intensity I_(n) beingdefined as absolute values (e.g. expressed in watts to represent theenergy used by the lighting devices 300 to generate light).

The present method is not limited to the lighting devices 300; but canbe adapted to other types of controlled appliances (e.g. automatedstores). The environment controller 100 controls each one of a pluralityof controlled appliances via a set point (corresponding to the lightintensity in the case of the lighting devices 300). As mentionedpreviously, the set point is expressed as a percentage or as an absolutevalue. For example, in the case of automated stores, the set point is apercentage representing an amount of light blocked by the store (0% forallowing all light through the automated store and 100% for allowing nolight through the automated store).

At step 505, the environment controller 100 determines the current setpoint for each one of the controlled appliances.

At step 510, the environment controller 100 determines a current averageset point by calculating the average of the current set points(determined at step 505).

At step 515, the environment controller 100 processes the currentaverage set point.

At step 525, the environment controller 100 determines a target averageset point.

The previously described implementations of steps 515 and 525 also applyto the processing of the current average set point and the determinationof the target average set point.

At step 530, the environment controller 100 determine a new set pointfor each one of the plurality of controlled appliances by proportionallyadjusting the set point of each one of the plurality of controlledappliances from its respective current set point to its respective newset point, so that the average of the new set points is equal to thetarget average set point.

At step 535, the environment controller 100 transmits the new set pointsto the controlled appliances. Each controlled appliance comprises atleast one actuation module, to control the operations of the controlledappliance based on the new set point received from the environmentcontroller 100. The actuation module may be of one of the followingtype: mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, electronical, acombination thereof, etc. A processing unit of the controlled applianceactuates the at least one actuation module based on the received new setpoint. Alternatively, the environment controller 100 transmits the newset points to one or more intermediate equipment (corresponding to thelight controller 200) in charge of controlling the controlled appliancesby applying the new set points to the controlled appliances.

The previously described algorithm for implementing step 530 isapplicable in the present context of set points (expressed as apercentage) allowing control of controlled appliances.

Although the present disclosure has been described hereinabove by way ofnon-restrictive, illustrative embodiments thereof, these embodiments maybe modified at will within the scope of the appended claims withoutdeparting from the spirit and nature of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An environment controller for proportionallyadjusting a respective light intensity of a plurality of lightingdevices, the environment controller comprising: a processing unit for:determining a current light intensity for each one of the plurality oflighting devices; determining a current average light intensity bycalculating the average of the current light intensities; determining atarget average light intensity; and determining a new light intensityfor each one of the plurality of lighting devices by proportionallyadjusting the light intensity of each one of the plurality of lightingdevices from its respective current light intensity to its respectivenew light intensity so that the average of the new light intensities isequal to the target average light intensity; wherein the current lightintensity and the new light intensity are expressed as a percentage foreach one of the plurality of lighting devices, and if the target averagelight intensity A_(t) is greater than the current average lightintensity A_(c) then the adjustment from the current light intensityI_(c) to the new light intensity I_(n) is calculated as follows:I_(n)=I_(c)+(100−I_(c))*(A_(t)−A_(c))/(100−A_(c)).
 2. The environmentcontroller of claim 1, wherein the processing unit further transmits thenew light intensities to one or more light controller via acommunication interface of the environment controller, the one or morelight controller controlling the plurality of lighting devices.
 3. Theenvironment controller of claim 1, wherein if the target average lightintensity A_(t) is lower than the current average light intensity A_(c)then the adjustment from the current light intensity I_(c) to the newlight intensity I_(n) is calculated as follows:I_(n)=I_(c)+I_(c)*(A_(t)−A_(c))/A_(c).
 4. The environment controller ofclaim 1, wherein the processing unit further transmits the currentaverage light intensity to a computing device via a communicationinterface of the environment controller; and determining the targetaverage light intensity comprises receiving the target average lightintensity from the computing device via the communication interface ofthe environment controller.
 5. The environment controller of claim 1,wherein the processing unit further displays the current average lightintensity on a display of the environment controller; and determiningthe target average light intensity comprises receiving the targetaverage light intensity from a user via a user interface of theenvironment controller.
 6. A method for proportionally adjusting arespective light intensity of a plurality of lighting devices, themethod comprising: determining by a processing unit of an environmentcontroller a current light intensity for each one of the plurality oflighting devices; determining by the processing unit of the environmentcontroller a current average light intensity by calculating the averageof the current light intensities; determining by the processing unit ofthe environment controller a target average light intensity; anddetermining by the processing unit of the environment controller a newlight intensity for each one of the plurality of lighting devices byproportionally adjusting the light intensity of each one of theplurality of lighting devices from its respective current lightintensity to its respective new light intensity so that the average ofthe new light intensities is equal to the target average lightintensity; wherein the current light intensity and the new lightintensity are expressed as a percentage for each one of the plurality oflighting devices, and if the target average light intensity A_(t) isgreater than the current average light intensity A_(c) then theadjustment from the current light intensity I_(c) to the new lightintensity I_(n) is calculated as follows:I_(n)=I_(c)+(100−I_(c))*(A_(t)−A_(c))/(100−A_(c)).
 7. The method ofclaim 6, further comprising transmitting by the processing unit of theenvironment controller the new light intensities to one or more lightcontroller, the one or more light controller controlling the pluralityof lighting devices, the transmission being performed via acommunication interface of the environment controller.
 8. The method ofclaim 6, wherein if the target average light intensity A_(t) is lowerthan the current average light intensity A_(c) then the adjustment fromthe current light intensity I_(c) to the new light intensity I_(n) iscalculated as follows: I_(n)=I_(c)+I_(c)*(A_(t)−A_(c))/A_(c).
 9. Themethod of claim 6, further comprising transmitting by the processingunit of the environment controller the current average light intensityto a computing device via a communication interface of the environmentcontroller; and wherein determining by the processing unit of theenvironment controller the target average light intensity comprisesreceiving by the processing unit of the environment controller thetarget average light intensity from the computing device via thecommunication interface of the environment controller.
 10. The method ofclaim 6, further comprising displaying by the processing unit of theenvironment controller the current average light intensity on a displayof the environment controller; and wherein determining by the processingunit of the environment controller the target average light intensitycomprises receiving by the processing unit of the environment controllerthe target average light intensity from a user via a user interface ofthe environment controller.
 11. A non-transitory computer programproduct comprising instructions executable by a processing unit of anenvironment controller, the execution of the instructions by theprocessing unit of the environment controller providing for adjusting arespective light intensity of a plurality of lighting devices by:determining by a processing unit of an environment controller a currentlight intensity for each one of the plurality of lighting devices;determining by the processing unit of the environment controller acurrent average light intensity by calculating the average of thecurrent light intensities; determining by the processing unit of theenvironment controller a target average light intensity; and determiningby the processing unit of the environment controller a new lightintensity for each one of the plurality of lighting devices byproportionally adjusting the light intensity of each one of theplurality of lighting devices from its respective current lightintensity to its respective new light intensity so that the average ofthe new light intensities is equal to the target average lightintensity; wherein the current light intensity and the new lightintensity are expressed as a percentage for each one of the plurality oflighting devices, and if the target average light intensity A_(t) isgreater than the current average light intensity A_(c) then theadjustment from the current light intensity I_(c) to the new lightintensity I_(n) is calculated as follows:I_(n)=I_(c)+(100−I_(c))*(A_(t)−A_(c))/(100−A_(c)).
 12. The computerprogram product of claim 11, wherein if the target average lightintensity A_(t) is lower than the current average light intensity A_(c)then the adjustment from the current light intensity I_(c) to the newlight intensity I_(n) is calculated as follows:I_(n)=I_(c)+I_(c)*(A_(t)−A_(c))/A_(c).
 13. The computer program productof claim 11, wherein executing the instructions by the processing unitof the environment controller further effects transmitting the new lightintensities to one or more light controller via a communicationinterface of the environment controller, the one or more lightcontroller controlling the plurality of lighting devices.
 14. Thecomputer program product of claim 11, wherein executing the instructionsby the processing unit of the environment controller further effectstransmitting by the processing unit of the environment controller thecurrent average light intensity to a computing device via acommunication interface of the environment controller; and whereindetermining by the processing unit of the environment controller thetarget average light intensity comprises receiving by the processingunit of the environment controller the target average light intensityfrom the computing device via the communication interface of theenvironment controller.
 15. The computer program product of claim 11,wherein executing the instructions by the processing unit of theenvironment controller further effects displaying by the processing unitof the environment controller the current average light intensity on adisplay of the environment controller; and wherein determining by theprocessing unit of the environment controller the target average lightintensity comprises receiving by the processing unit of the environmentcontroller the target average light intensity from a user via a userinterface of the environment controller.
 16. A method for proportionallyadjusting a respective set point of a plurality of controlledappliances, the method comprising: determining by a processing unit ofan environment controller a current set point for each one of theplurality of controlled appliances; determining by the processing unitof the environment controller a current average set point by calculatingthe average of the current set points; determining by the processingunit of the environment controller a target average set point; anddetermining by the processing unit of the environment controller a newset point for each one of the plurality of controlled appliances byproportionally adjusting the set point of each one of the plurality ofcontrolled appliances from its respective current set point to itsrespective new set point so that the average of the new set points isequal to the target average set point; wherein the current set point andthe new set point are expressed as a percentage for each one of theplurality of controlled appliances, and if the target average set pointA_(t) is greater than the current average set point A_(c) then theadjustment from the current set point SP_(c) to the new set point SP_(n)is calculated as follows:SP_(n)=SP_(c)+(100−SP_(c))*(A_(t)−A_(c))/(100−A_(c)).
 17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein if the target average set point A_(t) is lower thanthe current average set point A_(c) then the adjustment from the currentset point SP_(c) to the new set point SP_(n) is calculated as follows:SP_(n)=SP_(c)+SP_(c)*(A_(t)−A_(c))/A_(c).
 18. The method of claim 16,further comprising transmitting by the processing unit of theenvironment controller the new set points to the plurality of controlledappliances or to one or more equipment controlling the plurality ofcontrolled appliances, the transmission being performed via acommunication interface of the environment controller.
 19. The method ofclaim 16, further comprising transmitting by the processing unit of theenvironment controller the current average set point to a computingdevice via a communication interface of the environment controller; andwherein determining by the processing unit of the environment controllerthe target average set point comprises receiving by the processing unitof the environment controller the target average set point from thecomputing device via the communication interface of the environmentcontroller.
 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising displaying bythe processing unit of the environment controller the current averageset point on a display of the environment controller; and whereindetermining by the processing unit of the environment controller thetarget average set point comprises receiving by the processing unit ofthe environment controller the target average set point from a user viaa user interface of the environment controller.